Iron with an open rear cavity

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an iron having, from the base upwards: a heating soleplate ( 1 ); a body ( 2 ) which is defined by a casing; and a handle ( 3 ), the rear end of which is connected to the body ( 2 ) of the iron. The aforementioned handle ( 3 ) is connected to the body ( 2 ) at the rear end thereof by ( 5 ) which extend outwards from the body in an essentially symmetric manner in relation to the mid-place of the iron, thereby creating an open cavity or space therebetween.

The present invention concerns pressing irons.

One distinguishes in a schematic manner and from bottom to top of irons,a flat soleplate, a body envelope for active thermal, electric andpossibly hydraulic parts, and a handle for manipulating the iron.

The handle is fixed to the rest of the appliance by attachments at thefront and/or rear of the iron. In existing versions, the parts, forexample molded, make up the parts of the envelope body and of the handlein such a manner that there does not exist a discontinuity between thisbody and this handle.

The lighter irons only have a connection at the front or at the rear,and the handle is found in a cantilever arrangement as in U.S. Pat. No.D415865, which leads to reinforcing the single connection with the bodyof the iron, and is not suitable for heavier irons.

The largest irons have a connection of the handle to the body at thefront of the iron and at the rear. It follows that the heel of the ironassumes substantial proportions that are unattractive and costly inmaterial. Efforts have been made to remedy this drawback. The patentU.S. Pat. No. D428228 shows an iron in which the connection of thehandle to the body is made lighter. The insufficient stability of thisiron placed on its heel has required the addition of a ring thataugments the polygon of the stability, but also the costs. The patentU.S. Pat. No. D441925 shows an iron in which the rear connection of thehandle by the heel is made lighter but the stability of the iron on itsheel necessitated forming a curvilinear polygon for support of the heelwhich is poorly integrated to the rest of the iron. Such a polygon forsupport of the iron on its heel is found in numerous designs such asthat of the model DM/046388. But these designs resolve the problem ofthe stability of the iron on its heel better when the polygon obtainedis large and they are insufficient to lighten the heel of the iron whileproviding a substantial place for gripping. Other designs show heels ofan iron having a cavity at the rear of the heel. These are oftencavities required by the connection of the cordless iron on its support.But these cavities do not increase the space for gripping the handle, ordiminish the massive aspect of the iron or its material costs.

The object of the invention hereafter is a pressing iron whose handlehas at the rear of the iron a connection to the rest of the body of theappliance which provides a maximum of room for manually gripping theiron by the handle, while preserving a good stability of the iron on itsheel and the solidity of the connection.

The goal of the invention is achieved by a pressing iron having frombottom to top a heating soleplate, a body delimited by an envelope, agripping handle connected by its rear end to the body of the ironnoteworthy in that the rear connection is mainly composed of at leasttwo arms extending in a substantially symmetrical manner with respect tothe median plane of the iron from the handle while diverging to the bodyof the iron and providing between them an open space.

The arms can be light, of small cross-section, and of small size, thusleaving a maximum space for holding by the handle. They provide betweenthem a space or a cavity open in the longitudinal direction toward therear on the one hand and toward the handle on the other hand. Viewedfrom the rear of the iron, the structure obtained is substantiallytriangular, which renders it very rigid, and relieves, when it exists,the front connection of the handle with the body from torque induced bythe hand. This structure is particularly well adapted to transmit to theiron lateral movements of the hand oscillating in a horizontal plane.

Advantageously, the arms are disposed in a manner to generate with therear of the body a support plane for the iron placed on its heel.

The base of the iron placed on the heel is created by the arms and thebottom of the body, which gives the iron a maximum foundation. A recessformed in the surface for supporting the iron on its heel permits thepassage of the power cord when the iron is on its heel.

In a version of the iron according to the invention having a power cord,the outlet thereof is situated in the open space.

In this arrangement, the arms naturally limit deflection of the powercord at the outlet of the body which avoids overly pronounced twisting.

Advantageously, when an iron according to the invention has a powercord, the dimensions of the open space permit the cord to be foldedtherein and housed with its plug, during storage of the appliance.

Placement or storage is facilitated by the fact that one threads thepower cord in the cavity and the arms while avoiding bulging.

The cavity can be arranged for this purpose and has orifices in whichone can insert the prongs of the plug. The orifices can be arranged onone of the arms or on a protuberance especially designed for this use.

Usefully, when the iron is a steam iron furnished with a cup forrefilling with water, the dimensions of the open space permit housing ofthe cup, possibly at the same time as the power cord which itcontributes to holding in place.

In one version according to the invention of an iron not having a powercord, the iron has connection contacts on the inner wall of the openspace.

Usefully, the form of the open space is adapted to that of a support onwhich it is intended to place the iron.

Thus, the support placed on the working plane is no longer in contactwith the hot soleplate. The materials making up the support can be moreeconomical.

According to another version, the dimensions of the open space permit itto receive a funnel intended for refilling a water reservoir of thepressing iron.

The reservoir situated in the body extends from the front toward therear of the appliance. Filling is made easier. In effect, one thendisposes of sufficient space to house a funnel that is large withrespect to those that can be formed at the front of the appliance.

The funnel is preferably higher then the reservoir which cannot beemptied by this accessory in the normal position.

In one version, the funnel is furnished with an obturator.

The obturator can be for example a plug that is manually removable, or apivoting valve that can be closed, at least when the iron is disposed onits heel, in a manner to prevent water in the reservoir from exitingthrough the funnel.

Preferably, the funnel is connected to the reservoir at the front of theappliance.

The connection at the front prevents the reservoir from emptying whenthe iron is placed on its heel. In this position, in effect, watercollects close to the heel. The connection of the funnel to thereservoir then opens on an air space and the reservoir cannot be emptiedthrough the connection.

The invention can be better understood in view of the examples herebelowand the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal view of a first pressing iron according to theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the iron of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal view of a second pressing iron according to theinvention, in partial cross-section along the plane of symmetry of theappliance.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the iron of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the industrial model of a third pressingiron according to the invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the industrial model of a fourthpressing iron according to the invention having a device for filling thereservoir at the rear of the iron.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal, schematic cross-section of the iron of FIG. 6,the filling device being closed.

FIG. 8 a longitudinal schematic cross-section of the iron of FIG. 6, thefilling device being open.

FIG. 71 is an enlarged detail of FIG. 7.

In a form of construction shown in FIGS. 1-2, a pressing iron has aheating soleplate 1, a body 2, a handle 3. Handle 3 is connected to body2 at the front of the iron in a known fashion by a foot 4 prolonging oneend of the handle. Advantageously, this foot 4 is hollow to containcomponents of the iron, and the walls thin. Handle 3 is connected by theother end to body 2 at the rear of the iron by two arms 5 extendingwhile diverging from handle 3 to the body of the iron so that thestructure obtained is substantially triangular. The contour of the rearend of handle 3, arms 5 and body 2, clearly visible in FIG. 2 andreferred to by 6 in FIG. 5 of an industrial form of construction, formsa flat polygon at the rear of the iron, a polygon by which the iron issupported on the working plane when it is placed on its heel at timesother than during active ironing sequences. Arms 5 delimit betweenthemselves a space 7 situated between handle 3 and body 2, open towardthe front and rear, where the folded power supply cord, when it ispresent, can be stored.

The structure of arms 5 permits foot 4, which does not receive torsionforces, to be made lighter. Arms 5 can be of small cross section whichfrees the space available on the handle for gripping. By divergingtoward the body of the iron, the arms increase by a maximum the base ofthe iron placed on its heel, improving its stability.

Advantageously, space 7 can be extended toward the bottom in body 2 tothe rear of the iron as shown in FIG. 5 of an industrial form ofconstruction, which on the one hand facilitates storage of the powercord, and on the other hand improves the stability of the iron placed onits heel. In effect, an obstacle, for example a fold in the fabric,being located in the base, is positioned in cavity 7 and does not impairthe equilibrium of the iron.

Irons having a power cord can have a cord outlet 8 installedconventionally at the rear of handle 3 as visible in FIG. 5. In theversion of FIGS. 1-2, the outlet of the power cord is advantageouslyinstalled on body 2 in cavity 7 to directly supply the activecomponents. The arms naturally limit deflection of the power cord at theoutlet 8, which diminishes flexure stresses thereon and increases theuseful life. The arms eliminate all risk of catching of the cord on thehandle during ironing. A recess 9 is formed at the rear of the iron topermit passage of the cord of the iron placed on its heel.

In a cordless version of the iron not shown, cavity 7 is advantageouslyused to receive contacts for connection of the iron to its support.Advantageously, the contacts are disposed in cavity 7 laterally on arms5 and/or on body 2 in a manner to not create any withdrawal force afterengagement of the iron on the support.

In a form of constructions visible in FIGS. 3-4, the pressing iron has asoleplate 1, a body 2 containing a water reservoir 10, a handle 3connected to body 2 at the front of the iron by a foot 4 and at the rearof the iron by two arms 5 disposed as in the preceding arrangementswhile providing a space 7 between them. Space 7 houses a funnel 11 whoselarge opening 110 is directed toward the rear and whose large edge isflush with or is recessed from the plane of support of the iron on itsheel. The small opening 111 of funnel 11 is directed toward the front ofthe iron and it is connected to the front of reservoir 10 by a tube 12.Reservoir 10 is moreover furnished with a vent at the rear of the ironand at the top of the reservoir. The vent is connected by a tube havingan axis 13 to an opening situated. at the front of the iron abovereservoir 10. The fixed funnel is housed in an extension of body 2 inspace 7. Reservoir 10 is, inter alia, intended to contain water for thesteam necessary for ironing.

The homemaker can easily refill water reservoir 10 by holding his or herpressing iron vertically, tip to the bottom, via funnel 11 whose largeopening cross section 110 is accessible in this position, at the rear ofthe iron between arms 5. Water flows into reservoir 10 through tube 12and air in the reservoir is expelled by the refilling water, whichescapes through the vent and tube 13. When the homemaker rests his orher iron in the normal ironing position, or places it on its heel, thearrangement of the water inlet and the vent prevent the water fromescaping.

In a similar version not shown, funnel 11 can pivot in body 2 of theiron around a transverse axis passing through the connection of smallorifice 111 to pipe 12, and thus be retracted, thus making available theplace for storing the power cord in the space 7.

In a version similar that of FIG. 5 and shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 and 71,the iron has a water reservoir 10 the filling of which is effectuatedthrough an orifice opening into space 7, this orifice being providedwith means for receiving and guiding the liquid through the orificetoward reservoir 10, said means passing through the orifice and beingmovable in rotation between a first open position visible in FIG. 8where the liquid can be introduced and a second closed position visiblein FIG. 7 where said means are retracted into reservoir 10 and assuringclosing of the orifice.

The means for receiving and guiding the liquid comprise a rotatableshutter 20 assuring closing and sealing of the orifice by a joint 201better shown in FIG. 71, and a funnel form 22 integral with therotatable shutter. The shutter is provided with bearings 202 creating anaxis of rotation substantially parallel to one edge of the refillingorifice.

The funnel form is adapted to the form of the orifice and its axis ofrotation selected to provide a maximum water passage and to present awater inlet that is freed from the handle. In order to do this, the axisof rotation is made horizontal, close to the rearmost edge of theorifice in space 7.

By these means, the user by opening shutter 20, which causes funnel 22to suddenly appear, can easily refill its water reservoir. After closingof the shutter, the funnel is retracted into the reservoir and no longeroccupies space 7 available for other uses, to store the power cord atthe end of ironing for example.

As one can note from reading the preceding, the structure of the ironaccording to the invention presents numerous advantages.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pressing iron having from bottom to top aheating soleplate (1), a body (2) delimited by an envelope, a grippinghandle (3) connected by its rear end to the body (2) of the iron,characterized in that the rear connection is mainly composed of at leasttwo arms (5) extending in a substantially symmetrical manner withrespect to the median plane of the iron from the handle (3) whilediverging to the body (2) of the iron and providing between them an openspace (7) having a form that is adapted to the form of a support onwhich the iron is to be placed.
 2. Iron according to claim 1characterized in that the arms (5) are disposed in a manner to generatewith the rear of the body (2) a support plane for the iron placed on itsheel.
 3. A pressing iron having from bottom to top a heating soleplate(1), a body (2) delimited by an envelope, a gripping handle (3)connected by its rear end to the body (2) of the iron, characterized inthat the rear connection is mainly composed of at least two arms (5)extending in a substantially symmetrical manner with respect to themedian plane of the iron from the handle (3) while diverging to the body(2) of the iron and providing between them an open space, the iron beinga steam iron furnished with a cup for refilling with water,characterized in that the dimensions of the open space (7) permithousing of the cup.
 4. Iron according to claim 3, wherein the dimensionsof the open space also permit housing of the power cord which the cupcontributes to holding in place.
 5. A pressing iron having from bottomto top a heating soleplate (1), a body (2) delimited by an envelope, agripping handle (3) connected by its rear end to the body (2) of theiron, characterized in that the rear connection is mainly composed of atleast two arms (5) extending in a substantially symmetrical manner withrespect to the median plane of the iron from the handle (3) whilediverging to the body (2) of the iron and providing between them an openspace, characterized in that the dimensions of the open space (7) permitit to receive a funnel (11) intended for refilling a water reservoir(10) of the pressing iron.
 6. Iron according to claim 5 characterized inthat the funnel is furnished with an obturator.
 7. Iron according toclaim 5 characterized in that the funnel (11) is connected by a conduit(12) to the reservoir (10) at the front of the appliance.
 8. A pressingiron having from bottom to top a heating soleplate (1), a body (2)delimited by an envelope, a gripping handle (3) connected by its rearend to the body (2) of the iron, characterized in that the rearconnection is mainly composed of at least two arms (5) extending in asubstantially symmetrical manner with respect to the median plane of theiron from the handle (3) while diverging to the body (2) of the iron andproviding between them an open space, having a water reservoir (10)characterized in that the filling of the reservoir is effectuatedthrough an orifice opening into the space (7), this orifice beingprovided with means for receiving and guiding the liquid through theorifice toward reservoir (10), said means passing through the orificeand being movable in rotation between a first open position where theliquid can be introduced and a second closed position where said meansare retracted into the reservoir (10) and assuring closing of theorifice.
 9. Iron according to claim 8 characterized in that the meansfor receiving and guiding the liquid comprise a rotatable shutter (20)assuring closing and sealing of the orifice, and a funnel form (22)integral with the rotatable shutter.